Windows is great, except for a few things...

[Guest]

I was having a problem with my laptop recently where the display wouldn't
work except for when my laptop was plugged into my TV. Long story short
(Fn+F8 wouldn't work, updated video drivers didn't work,etc.), Dell told me
to reinstall Windows XP. Now my computer is acting really weird and i'm
pretty sure it's related to windows and not to the machine itself. Here are
the symptoms:

-Windows takes a LONG time to boot up
-Winkey doesn't do anything (although keyboard test shows it's fine)
-Media Player won't work (low memory error)
-My wireless network connection works fine but internet explorer won't even
begin to access a webpage once i've entered a URL
-I can remote desktop to my work computer and everything works faster
(except Winkey doesn't work)
-When remoted, Media Player opens, but when I try to play music it says
there may be a problem with my audio device
-I get an "RPC server is unavailable" message when I try to use my Dell
Resource CD (I thought it would solve the audio driver issue)
-Every couple minutes, my system finds new hardware and tries to install a
monitor
-My device manager lists 5 monitors although I only have one display

Does anyone know what may be causting this problem? I've run diagnostics on
my computer, scanned for adware, etc. and there isn't anything out of the
ordinary. I'd appreciate any help that can be offered.

 

[Terra Prime]

You mentioned you have scanned for adware, but did you use all of the
scanners listed below?

--
Use these spyware scanners to erraticate your spyware problem:
*Make sure you check for spyware definition updates for all of these
scanners before using them.

Spybot Search & Destroy 1.4
http://www.safer-networking.org

Ad-Aware SE 1.06 Personal
http://www.lavasoftusa.com

Spyware Blaster 3.4
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

Spy Sweeper 4.0.3 Build 405
http://www.webroot.com

XoftSpy 4.15
http://www.paretologic.com

CWShredder 2.15*
http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html

* = Use the standalone version of CWShredder.

 

[Michael T]

Have you tried installing Dell Support 3.0 which will test your computer and
your connection?
http://support.dell.com/support/top...llsupport30promo?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn

I would also insert your Windows XP CD (then close it if it autoplays). Now
run System File Checker.

Start > Run and type
sfc /scannow
click OK

And don't forget Microsoft's tool Event Viewer.
You can look for errors displayed with a red X, plus you can check the time
stamp for applications and services to see which one may be bogging down
your PC when it boots.
Start > Run and type
eventvwr.msc
click OK

Unfortunately it may be too early to rule out hardware - e.g. bad memory or
a bad hard drive. I know you run the diagnostics - but I am still a bit
skeptical given all your problems.

If all fails and your system is stable enough to connect and stay connected
here some good (and extensive) sanity checks to consider.
*******************
Run your virus software in Safe Mode (pressing F8 a few times while
booting) - preferably with System Restore tuned off.

Other options (in Normal Boot Mode)
Run an online scan at
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/
and/or
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

Download/Run Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...e0-e72d-4f54-9ab3-75b8eb148356&displaylang=en

Run Ad-Aware SE Personal (first) and SpyBot-Search & Destroy (second).
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html
After you install each, you should click update before running. For example,
with Ad-Aware click on the link "Check for updates now" on the first screen
that appears after you launch the application.

I have also heard good reports about the Damage Cleanup Engine from Trend
Micro at
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/dcs.asp

**************

Good luck.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your replies. I have a lot to try now based on your suggestions.
If nothing works, I guess i'll have to try the ol' clean sweep.